Inside It-Girl Yuyan Shi’s Wedding Weekend in the South of France: A Chic & Timeless Affair

New York City influencer Yuyan Shi proves that timeless isn’t a trend — it’s a feeling

Fashion and lifestyle influencer Yuyan Shi has long mastered the art of pared-back elegance — and her wedding to her now husband Samson, in the South of France, was no exception. Set at the effortlessly romantic Château Talaud, the weekend felt like a living mood board of timeless style: classic silhouettes, soft Provençal light, garden florals, and the kind of thoughtful details that never try too hard.

But in a world of ever-evolving trends and endless inspiration, what does it actually mean to create a wedding that feels timeless? For Yuyan, it wasn’t about following rules or clinging to tradition — it was about intention. Every element, from the French garden chairs to the sculptural lines of her ceremony dress, felt like an extension of her style and story. The result? A celebration shaped by quiet confidence, thoughtful design, and just the right hint of individuality. In her own words, Yuyan shares exclusively with THE WED the vision, inspiration, and considered choices behind her wedding, offering a personal look at how she created something that felt timeless, effortless, and true to her.

Curating the Vision

^{Defining My Aesthetic}

Elegant. Classic. Timeless. From the beginning, those were the words that shaped my vision. I imagined a wedding that felt effortlessly chic — something that would never go out of style. I was drawn to classic bridal silhouettes and sophisticated, garden-inspired decor. I wanted everything to feel refined yet natural, with a soft, romantic atmosphere.

^{The Location That Set the Tone}

We have a deep love for the South of France — the light, the pace, the charm. It felt incredibly special to share that with our closest friends and family and invite everyone to a place we love. Château Talaud was everything we dreamed of: elegant, peaceful, and effortlessly beautiful. We wanted our wedding to feel personal and intimate, and the gardens, the architecture, and the surrounding vineyards carried this timeless, romantic energy that perfectly reflected the kind of celebration we hoped to create.

^{Working With Our Wedding Planner}

I kept coming back to the Ralph Lauren aesthetic — that sense of effortless sophistication, timeless beauty, and understated luxury. I was drawn to the way the brand has historically blended classic Americana with European elegance. That balance served as a subtle reference point throughout the weekend. And working with our wedding planner Marie Chicchirichi was such a gift. She completely understood my vision from the very beginning. Her incredible eye for detail helped bring everything together in a way that felt cohesive and effortless, while still deeply personal. Her taste is impeccable, and her calm, thoughtful approach made the planning experience feel seamless.

A Wedding Weekend
to Remember

^{Kicking Off With the Welcome Party}

Our wedding weekend began with a dreamy welcome party at the Château. The setting felt like a fairytale — soft yet crisp colors, white and blue hydrangeas, and garden-inspired details that quietly echoed the Ralph Lauren aesthetic I had always loved. It struck that balance of refinement and ease, setting the tone for everything that followed. We began the evening with a Chinese tea ceremony to honor our families, a moment that felt grounding and deeply personal. From there, we moved into a relaxed garden dinner with our closest friends and family. It was the perfect way to begin the weekend — thoughtful, understated, and a reflection of both where we came from and what we envisioned for the days ahead.

^{A Ceremony Shaped by Setting & Simplicity}

Our ceremony took place in the gardens of Château Talaud, surrounded by vineyards and the most beautiful Provençal light. I wanted it to feel soft and romantic — peaceful, but full of emotion. We included thoughtful details, like sun umbrellas for the ceremony — practical under the sun, but also beautiful in the photos. Small touches like that helped everything feel cohesive, elegant, and very us. The simplicity of the setup allowed the natural beauty of the location to shine through, which is ultimately what made it feel so timeless.

^{An Intimate Garden Reception}

After 11 years together, we wanted our wedding to reflect everything we’d built — not just our relationship, but the community around us. More than anything, we wanted our guests to feel loved, appreciated, and part of something special. For our dinner, we had one long table in the garden. Because the wedding was so small, everyone could talk to each other — it created this feeling of ease and closeness that made the evening feel even more personal. Inside It-Girl Yuyan Shi’s Wedding Weekend in the South of France: A Chic & Timeless Affair

Aesthetically, I was drawn to tailored tablescapes and natural textures — elements that felt both elevated and organic. I didn’t want anything to feel overly styled or designed. Every choice had intention behind it, and together those quiet details helped create a setting that felt thoughtful, relaxed, and completely true to us. From the music to the setting to the little in-between moments, we tried to create a weekend where everyone could feel present, connected, and fully immersed in the joy.

^{Personal Touches with Purpose}

Throughout the wedding day, we focused on adding subtle, meaningful details that made the experience feel like ours. One of my favorites was the “ring for cocktail” bell at the bar — a playful little surprise during cocktail hour. We also had candles with our signature wedding scent that guests took home as favors, which felt like a special way to let them carry the weekend with them. Nothing was over the top, but everything had intention behind it. I wanted to be able to look back on the photos years from now and still love every little detail.

The Bridal Wardrobe

^{Curating Bridal Looks to Stand the Test of Time}

We were intentional about steering clear of anything that might feel dated in a few years. I opted out of mismatched bridesmaid colors and overly dramatic embellishments, and instead focused on clean lines, timeless fabrics, and a cohesive, classic palette.

I also wanted every look I wore throughout the weekend to feel harmonious yet distinct, evolving naturally with the mood of the day while staying true to an overall sense of my personal style. For the ceremony, I wore the Lucky Dress by KYHA Studios — a strapless drop-waist ballgown in duchess satin with a long, romantic train. It felt grand, elegant, and truly like my dream wedding dress. To complete the look, I chose a French Chantilly veil from Danielle Frankel, which added the perfect hint of lace.

For dinner, I changed into the Hazel dress by Danielle Frankel, paired with a custom bolero. It felt modern, architectural, but still soft and completely in line with my style. To finish the night, I slipped into a fun, frilly party look by Mirror Palais — it had this celebratory energy that felt perfect for dancing under the stars.

^{Beauty That Felt Like Me}

I think timeless beauty comes down to restraint and knowing what feels authentic to you. For my wedding day look, I wanted to channel that and feel like myself — just the most polished version. My makeup artist, Fanny Wong, helped me bring that to life. We focused on really healthy, glowing skin and kept everything close to my everyday look, just slightly more elevated: soft definition, radiant skin, and nothing too heavy or trend-driven. For hair, I went with a classic sleek high bun. It felt clean, elegant, and allowed my dress to really shine.

Looking Back

^{Photography That Captures the Feeling}

I wanted the photos from the day to feel refined but not overly posed and our photographer Nastia Vesna captured just that. Her work strikes such a beautiful balance between editorial elegance and genuine, candid emotion — and her use of film gives everything a soft, timeless quality. Seeing the gallery for the first time, we were honestly stunned, especially by how she played with the light. It felt like she had bottled up the atmosphere of Provence. One of my favorite photos is from right after the ceremony — she captured the emotion on our faces so purely, in a way that instantly brought us back to that moment. Proof that timeless isn’t just a look — it’s a feeling.

My One Piece of Advice for Brides-to-Be

Stay true to what feels most like you and your partner. Keep it simple, and don’t overthink the rest. The details that last are the ones that come from intention. Let the day reflect your story, your energy, and the people you love most. That’s what makes it timeless.